You Don't Have to Be 'Gay'

‘Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision!’

(Joel 3:14)

Paul, a young friend, shared with me his recent engagement to a man. I kindly asked him if he’d like to hear my story of leaving that life behind for the life I wanted that aligned with my faith. I shared how wife and family followed. Weird, eh, Paul? ‘Yeah, a little. I never heard of that before. Tell me more. . .’

Another friend, James, loves Jesus but was told that he could never leave the domination of homosexuality behind. ‘Your cross, James . . .’ I invited him to own his stuff but to press into more; I offered to help him do so through an upcoming Living Waters Training (this year in Kansas City, Oct 17–22). He is now a vital part of the Living Waters community. Last weekend at a gathering with James and friends, I prayed for a lovely woman. He later introduced her as his girlfriend.

May I please invite everyone to offer strugglers the right to choose whether or not they want to be ‘gay’? We are inundated with soundbites of persons who have left all behind (faith, family, spouse, kids) for ‘gay’ life. Let’s trumpet the reverse. Leave ‘gay’ for good stuff like faith and family. The truth? You don’t have to be ‘gay.’

To be sure, everyone is free to explore ‘gay’ stuff. We’ve created multiple highways and on-ramps for all kinds of sexual identifications. And we’ve demonized those who don’t want to go there. Enough already. Be courageous. Give people choice, the freedom to choose what they want. James and Paul never even knew they had a choice.

That’s why I love Queered Out, a snazzy, cost-free video series that details thirteen men and women (fourteen including me!) who wanted more than homosexuality and got it through Jesus and friends. ‘Gay’ life wasn’t true enough for them. They found something more authentic in their faith and Christian family.

Queered Out goes live today. (Be patient with us this first week if there are any website issues. Our team is working around the clock to fix any snags as they arise!) Here’s the link. Watch all the videos and send it out to everyone you know. People don’t know what they’ve never heard.

These thirteen represent thousands of men and women I know who left homosexuality behind for and through faith. They are discovering fruitful life apart from homosexuality. To be sure, they accept struggle: truth and beauty mean nothing without facing resistance to realize them! But they are exercising the dignity of their right to choose the kind of life they want to live. And are loving it. Decide for yourself. You’ll not hear candor more humble and clear and compassionate than you will from the witnesses of Queered Out.

One of the dangers of our postmodern life is the isolation of young persons who make life-defining decisions about their sexuality online. They are subject to internet biases that favor sexual experimentation of all kinds. Everything is fair game except growth in chastity. Let’s change that. Let’s flood screens with Queered Out and give young people choice, a chance to encounter beautiful Jesus and His friends.

Besides, Queered Out is expertly done. It’s a genuinely good watch. At least it beats losing another night to porn or sexing up a best friend or stoking dreams of becoming the opposite sex.

Watch the series trailer below. Share with others. Then check out all eight episodes of Queered Out, free and available now. Explore the website. Send it out to all your friends. People need to know about choice. You don’t have to be ‘gay.’

Once a month, DSM staff will be lifting up parents and any LGBTQ+-identified children in prayer. Please email Abbey at afoard@desertstream.org to be included in our monthly prayer.